By: Brody Baker / Co-sports editor
By: Aiden Hendrickson / Co-sports editor
The New Palestine boys tennis team looks a lot different this year. Last season the roster was loaded with seniors, but almost all of them graduated, leaving just one senior behind. That means this year’s underclassmen have had to find new leaders to step up. Senior Luke Bartusek and junior Carson Rush have been two of the main players filling those roles.
For Carson, things have definitely changed. Last year he was in doubles, but this year he’s playing singles and facing the top players from every school the Dragons go up against.
It’s felt different being an upperclassman having to fill in the leadership role of players we lost from last year,” Rush said. “The hardest part has been the transition from doubles to singles and having to play the best player from the other team every match.”
Even though the competition is tougher, Carson said the key is to stay calm and not let the pressure get to him. “Stay level-headed, having a one point at a time mentality,” he said. That mindset has been helping him handle the tougher matches, and it also sets a good example for the younger players around him.
Carson also thinks the team’s chemistry is one of their strengths. “We’re a great team, we all get along well, and there’s never a time we’re not having fun,” he said. “My goal is to make it known that we’re ready to compete for a sectional title come the first week of October.” Even though the Dragons have had some ups and downs early in the season, he believes they can peak at the right time. Luke, the only senior on the roster, is in a unique spot. Some players might feel a lot of pressure being the only senior, but he says the team has made it easy.
“Being the only senior is not hard because of how everyone else on the team are great people and everyone respects each other,” Bartusek said. Senior Luke Bartusek said his main focus this season is simply trying to improve and keep things simple. “I’m not really doing anything, I’m just hoping to win. My goal is to win with Gavin, and I’ve been trying to do better serving,” he said. He sees his role as being the encourager. “Just being able to cheer them on or give them high fives and be encouraging to everyone no matter if they won or lost,” Bartusek said. One of his favorite memories has been competing in county and winning twice, plus going to the county breakfasts with his teammates.
As graduation gets closer, Luke wants to leave behind some advice. “Play in the offseason and don’t rely on the season to get better,” Bartusek said. “Don’t be held back by your struggles but put everything behind you and remain positive always.”
